49 Years After Inventing the Iconic “Woo” Catchphrase, Ric Flair and Joe Rogan Reflect on the Exact Moment of Its Origination- “I Heard Jerry Lee Lewis Go…”

Joe Rogan’s whopping $200 million worth podcast has definitely made an indelible mark on his fans and followers. Often cited as the best platform to learn intriguing behind-the-scenes stories about popular celebrities and sports icons, The Joe Rogan Experience’s antics etch themselves on any viewer who stumbles across it.

In one of the most prominent interviews of all time, Rogan sat down with professional wrestling legend, Ric Flair. And what unfolded was truly one of the most hilarious JRE interviews. What’s more – thanks to Rogan’s queries, Ric even revealed the story behind his iconic “Woo” catchphrase that earned him much love and fame back in the late 1970s.

Joe Rogan and Rick Flair break down the driving force behind the “Woo” catchphrase

In episode #1974 of the Joe Rogan Experience, the UFC commentator sat down with the 16-time wrestling world champion. The duo broke down some of Flair’s iconic memories over the years. While discussing a plethora of topics, the duo jumped over to an intriguing catchphrase that turned many heads during the 1970s era of pro wrestling.

Surprisingly, the origins of this catchphrase were traced back to a serendipitous encounter with a Jerry Lee Lewis song. Rogan asked Ric, “How did that – Was that something that just came out one day? One promo?”

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Ric, sharing the driving force behind the “Woo”, reminisced about the demanding nature of his wrestling career. What’s more – he also spoke of the long hours of travel and adrenaline-fueled moments. During those extensive drives, Flair would often find himself immersed in music, enjoying beers and the thrill of tossing cans at road signs.

It was during one of these journeys, in the 1970s, that he stumbled upon the classic Jerry Lee Lewis song, “Great Balls of Fire.” 

Flair explained that the song featured a distinct “Woo” towards the end, which piqued his attention. The 71-year-old added, “And then I heard Jerry Lee Lewis go – Goodness gracious, great balls of fire…” However, it wasn’t the emphasis on the “Woo” that struck him, but rather the overall impact of the song. Moreover, the 74-year-old revealed, “Then I went – that next day on TV, I went – ‘Da da dada… woo!’ and that’s how it all started – [in] 1974.”

As Flair recounted a deeply etched memory, it became evident that the concept of this iconic phrase was an impulsive and fortuitous event. However, with its enduring popularity and cultural impact, the “Woo” has become synonymous with Ric Flair, forever etching his name in the realm of professional wrestling and beyond.

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